I have a starter motor that spins up but does not crank the engine. I pulled the starter clutch because it would not catch if turned in either direction and replaced the rollers, springs etc. The stater clutch was not gummed up an was very clean.
I installed the starter motor with the rear cover still off, and now when I try to start the engine, the chain will move a very small amount and then the starter motor spins internally but does not move the chain.
Pulling the starter apart, i found that the outer plastic gear had rotated out of position about a quarter inch and this in turn causes the inner two gears to jam up. If I reset the outer ring gear ( there is a pin that aligns to the slot in the outer edge of the ring gear) and reassemble the starter motor, I find that i can't turn the outer shaft by hand. Is the turning of the chain gear on the starter motor supposed to be easy to turn by hand? If it is then i have other issues in the starter motor.
Another question I have is if the outer plastic ring gear is supposed to have what appears to be some sort of gasket material on it?
The internals appear to be very clean and no carbon dust inside so I think the previous owner may have rebuilt the starter moror.
Do you think it is time for a replacement?
Thanks for your help.

Thanks trikelady.
I think I can close out this thread as I have purchased one on ebay. I looked at the starter in the link you provided and they have a starter that uses a PM instead of the armature. These starters are supposed to provide more torqe than the standard ones. At $220 it is 5 times more expensive than the one I got on ebay. I did notice that ricksmotorsports starter shows the gear on backwards. Also EMS global sells the identical starter for $139.
I've seen some new ones for $69 but am sceptical as to how long they will last (one seller told me it was made in China).
Searching the webb for the GL1100 starter reveals a wide variety of prices but I don't think there are that many manufacturers and distributers of these starters out there. We need a thread to see who has purchased what type of new starter and what the overall results are (good, bad etc). The one I have says CAE on it but the internal ring gear is made of plastic and it will spin out of place causing the motor to spin internally and not turn the chain gear.
Interestingly, the PO drilled a hole in the rear cover to get access to the chain gear so as to make it easier to line up with the starter splines. He then used Epoxy to plug the hole, lots of it. The big chunk inside the cover was starting to work loose and one day it would have worked its way onto the chain, starter clutch, alternator coils and who knows where else.
We have a postal strike up here in Canada so I don't know how long the starter I purchased will be tied up at the post office. So in the mean time I can put the engine back onto the frame and I still have my restored 1969 BSA lightning to ride while I wait.
For all those that replied to this thread, thank you very much for all the leads to the various places that sell starters. You never know I may still need them.
P.S. has anyone tried the SuperTorque starter that is sold by EMS Global?